Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for this ARC of 'The Family Experiment' by John Marrs.

I'd never heard of John Marrs before (and was surprised to learn in the afterword that he's pretty prolific) but was intrigued by the blurb.

In a near-ish future England the cost of living crisis has reached extreme levels and it seems to be paired with a fertility falloff (though the blurb suggests the opposite - in which case I'm not sure why every couple appear to need IVF) so that biological families are hard to achieve from a biological and financial perspective so a reality TV show where 'parents' are paired with an AI 'child' with an accelerated aging speed in the Metaverse is the biggest thing in the world. The winners get to either keep the child or delete the child and get 250K towards having their own real baby.

We're taken through multiple viewpoints as parents and other characters are followed throughout the experience and layer after layer of their experiences and the background to the show are peeled off and the reality revealed.

It's a good exploration of the insidious nature of reality TV, social media, and AI and carries you along however, for me, there was an unforgiveable plot hole and there's a bit of a spoiler coming so ...

















... There are supposedly all of these children going spare because parents can't afford to raise them anymore yet, first of all, these parents are paid huge amounts of money for their offspring, seeing all of their debts cleared - why pay all that money if there are so many spare kids? Then, second, having paid large amounts of money for these children, the traffickers chuck their expensive investments into leaky rubber dinghies in the English Channel and cross to France - losing hundreds or thousands of children along the way in rough seas - and then throw them into trucks with farm animals to continue their journeys (before the end up in Staten Island, by the way). Makes absolutely no sense and since it forms the absolute core of the action needed to be explained. If they were getting the kids for cheap or kidnapping oodles of them I'd get it but not when they're paying lots of money for them.

Let me start out by saying I couldn’t put this book down! I was absolutely sucked in to this one. I am new to John Marrs but already can’t wait to read a few of his other titles.
This book is absolutely going to be a huge hit!

Love! Love! Love!

John Marrs always gets it right. The intricacies of every little detail will have you whip lashed at how he just loops everything together. Loved it!!

This is my 4th John Marrs book that I have read and it is by far one of the best ones he's written. I love how he always writes his books from so many different perspectives and they all tie together some how. This book was especially relatable because it is a book a about 5 families competing in a contest to each raise a virtual baby via an ai world in the metaverse and with AI being such a big thing right now it is something that feels like it could be realistic. As always the twists and turns of a Marrs book doesn't disappoint. This book had me hooked the whole way through and I hated having to put it down to be a "responsible adult". There are also many hidden Easter eggs throughout the book referring to previous books of his which also made it fun. Great book by a great author.

John Marrs has done it again with his new novel set in the same universe as "The One" and "The Passengers," "The Family Experiment" is a wild ride. The premise of the book is quite unique, and unlike anything I have ever read before. "The Family Experiment, an exciting new reality tv show follows 11 contestants as the take place in an interesting social experiment across nine months, and after the winner, voted on by the public, will have a decision to make: Keep their virtual child, or use their winning funds to start over in real life and have a real world baby.

I truly dud not know what to expect when I started this book. The premise alone made me so intrigued to read it, and once I did, I could not stop. The story is so well written, and captivating. I found myself wanting to continuously read this, and each page left me wanting more. If you are a fan of speculative thrillers this book is for you,

The premise of this book will definitely grab attention. The concept of tomagatchi parenting is a unique and interesting premise. We start to follow ten couples who are tasked on a reality tv show to raise a Virtual Child within a 9 month period. The entire world is able to watch in real time and vote for their favorite contestants. What could possibly go wrong? A lot apparently. Who makes it to the end? What dark secrets are exposed not only about the contestants, but humanity itself?

I really enjoyed this and would be a great book club pick. I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this arc. 4.5⭐️ rounded up

Thank you NetGalley for letting this be my first arc book to read! With that being said... I Loved this book!

John Marrs did it once again and I have to say this is one of my favs by him. With all the twists and turns and lets not forget the drama this book has it all.

AI freaks me out even more after reading this book lol

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for a review. John Marrs has done it again! Great interesting book!

Wow, where to begin.

The Family Experiment offers ten couples the chance to compete raising a MetaBaby. Whoever wins gets prize money and can choose to either keep their virtual child or have a real baby of their own. Their experience is live streamed the entire nine months and their child ages to the age of 18 throughout the process.

This started on a fast note with a fast twist at the beginning. I was hooked from the second I started this. I actually read this in one sitting and barely came up for air throughout it.

I guessed one twist partially from about halfway through, but man were there countless surprises along the way.

I loved the mixed media aspect of this book, giving us not just a glimpse from the contestants’ point of view, but how the world around them is altered by this possibility. How the viewers are interpreting things and how the press is dealing with it.

This might be my new favorite John Marrs book. I’ve read all except one at this point and this was by far his best sci fi/speculative thriller to date. Incredibly intriguing given how quickly AI is progressing today.

John Marrs never disappoints!!!! The characters were well developed in this book and the plot had me on the edge trying to figure out the entire time I was reading!

4 stars because the book was unlike anything I’ve read so far and had a unique storyline for a thriller. I did feel that after the game show portion had ended, there was an excessive amount of explaining and I think it would’ve been 5 stars for me if more of that had been mixed in throughout instead of trying to tie up all the loose ends in the last several chapters.
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I’m still left wondering how far away this is in reality? I also see how everyone went crazy except for Leo since he was also an AI character. Imagine essentially living in a VR world for a year and thinking it’s real. I wasn’t surprised at all about Jaden’s secret children after hearing of his gambling issues. I thought it was very odd that Zoe kept a replica of her son, Adam in a suitcase to soothed herself especially after finding out that they had sold him. I was wondering why Hudson was allowed to be a part of the experiment when he was the only AI person, but the explanation for AI to take over and sabotaging towards the end made it all make sense. I thought it was kind of excessive that Adam was Hudson and Leo pretended to be Hudson and even had his dog tags branded to his hand. I wasn’t surprised that Issy was protected by Woody and she didn’t actually accomplish the murder she had attempted even though she believes through the end that she did it.

John Marrs is back with his latest book, set in the same universe as “The One”, “The Marriage Act”, and “The Passengers” .

In this World, the U.K.’s population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economy where a growing number of people can no longer afford to start families, let alone raise them.

But for those DESPERATE to experience parenthood, there is an alternative-

A company behind Virtual Children has created an interactive REALITY TV show which will steam 24/7 as it pits five couples and one single father against each other, as they raise a “Virtual Child “ programmed by AI.

For the sake of the show, the children will age at an accelerated rate from birth to the age of eighteen- condensed into a nine-month time period-Month 1️⃣ Newborn stage, Month 2️⃣ Nine months old, Month 3️⃣ Two years old, Month 4️⃣ Five years old, Month 5️⃣ Eight Years old, Month 6️⃣ Twelve years old, Month 7️⃣ Fourteen years old, Month 8️⃣ Sixteen years old, Month 9️⃣ Eighteen years old.

Parents will strap on virtual reality headsets, and haptic suits which will allow them to interact with their virtual children in the Metaverse, and feel everything a biological parent would.

And, of course, what would a reality TV show be without viewers who will VOTE on who is parenting the best, and who should be eliminated each month.

Viewers who see something they approve of can award red hearts ❤️ to the parents-but if they see parenting that they disagree with-you can send black hearts instead! 🖤

THE PRIZE: The right to either KEEP the “virtual child” they raised OR the chance to take the prize money instead, so that they can have a chance to start a family in the real World.

Your contestants:

Dimitri and Zoe Taylor-Georgiou (Metachild, son Lenny)
Woody and Tina Finn (Metachild, daughter Belle)
Cadman N’Yu & Gabriel Macmillan (Metachild, son River)
Selena & Jaden Wilson (Metachild, son Malachi)
Rufus Green & Kitty Carter (Metachild: daughter, Olivia
Single Dad-Hudson Wright (Metachild, daughter Alice)

WHO WILL YOU BE ROOTING FOR?

Peppered with online CHATS, “Through the Grapevine” news reports and Insta Polls, this is another fast paced and ADDICTIVE thriller which warns of a potentially terrifying future to come!

And, WHAT IS BEHIND the door 🚪 on the left?
I’m not telling-but you can find out on July 9, 2024.

Thank You to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Hanover Square Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.

John Marrs has written some excellent novels about a near future that feels just close enough to current events to feel very real. Set in the same universe as The One, The Passengers, and The Marriage Act, The Family Experiment hits that perfect balance as well. I am enjoying these series of novels and felt this latest one was an extremely satisfying continuation.

With the world having embraced the metaverse, Awakening Entertainment is launching a 9 month reality show to follow couples and one single dad raise a meta child to bring awareness and publicity to their new launch for families who can’t afford a child in the real world. The prize is for the winner(s) to either keep their meta child and the remainder of funds they are given to raise said child or to get prize money to go towards a potential real world child that would be assisted through surrogacy, adoption, or IVF. The contestants all have different motivations for entering the contest, from fresh publicity and brand deals for a familiar character from The Passengers to a chance for a do over and even more mysterious reasons.

This novel explored themes around the affordability and protection of children in the future as well as the realities we spin up for ourselves. But ultimately at its heart this is another look at humanity and what we can likely become - maybe even are - and preserve as we have more technology and more opportunities for corruption and temptation. The couples we follow in multiple points of view are all fascinating and the underlying mystery which we eventually discover was there all along is unexpected but amazing, as are the twists that go with it.

I’m not surprised this was another excellent and must read novel by John Marrs, I encourage fans of all interests to pick this one up as Marrs writing has universal appeal and is easy to read and get overly engaged with!

Omg this book was so good the twists in this book kept me up late trying to see what happened next. John Marrs is the absolute best writer of thrillers. Would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Wow. First of all, what a crazy ride. What a fun book to read about a Metaverse alternative reality to virtually raise a baby. I loved the writing style of this book where it goes from tv show captions to messages between audience back to the main characters. John Marrs knows how to keep you entertained and wanting more. I loved it and I can’t wait to read more from him.

I will never understand how his brain comes up with this stuff. This whole universe is incredibly creative and haunting. Immediately upon entering this world I am filled with unease and then the horrors of human nature simply add into it.

My brain did feel overloaded a few times trying to understand everything and piece it all together. It really makes you think. I loved the subtle hints and plot twists about each contestant sprinkled in throughout the book.

The ending was perfect. It typically isn’t my favorite type of ending but I think it was just what this particular story needed.

I am a huge fan of John Marrs! This book was so entertaining. From the first page I was hooked. I loved the concept of this “black mirror” style thriller. I love how each of the characters had their own storylines each twisted in their own regard. I definitely didn’t see the reveal at the end coming. This was a longer book, however because of the multiple character storylines it didn’t feel like it. Much like Marrs’ other novels, I loved it and highly recommend it!

4.5 Stars!
Enter, Re:Born, a company that allows couples to design and purchase MetaBabies in the Metaverse (eerie concept right off the bat).

The Family Experiment is a reality show launching soon to promote this new service for couples to experience parenthood. We get to follow a multitude of couples and a single 22 year old man as they embark on this journey as contestants into raising AI children. What could go wrong?

This book left me more so asking, what else COULD go wrong?

In typical John Marrs fashion this was a thought-provoking and sometimes disturbing look into a not so far fetched dystopian future where technology is taking over. JM’s futuristic sci-fi books are among my favourite of his because they just feel a little too… real! The deeper story within this story that unraveled toward the end had me staying up far too late to finish and see what happened. And now I’m left with some deep thoughts of how I feel with the morality and ethics of AI and the sinister side of their potential wrapped up with capitalism in our own future.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing via Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the whole book’s concept and the references to The Passengers, which was also a book I loved. I’ve heard even some of his other books are referenced here. A huge quality of this author is that he blends science fiction and mystery and thriller in a unique way, where technological advancements aren’t that far ahead of real life. The issues dealt with are some that we might have to deal with not so far into the future. An example of this is the moment where there is an argument over whether or not virtual, AI-designed humans have rights. This will be a heavily debated topic in the near future. Again this is a strength of John Marrs, as, despite the science fiction components, readers can still feel connected to the stories and feel concerned or touched by the ethical issues mentioned. Because of this proximity, we as readers keep imagining how we would act in the same situations as the characters.

The pacing is right, neither too fast nor too slow. I loved the developments in the lives of the various adults/parents, and the reveals toward the end about the dark secret of how the company managed to make this technology ahead of its competition. The book explored well the implications of metaverse children, especially its impacts on the different families. Every parent throughout the book feels relevant and they have interesting, unique backstories that make the reader want to keep reading. Each adds to the overall story.

Also, upon reading, it's clear the author has done his research, and he's done it well. This is my favourite book by John Marrs. I read it within a day. My review could’ve gone way longer enumerating all the positive aspects. There is really no weakness or negative thing I find to say about this book. Easiest 5 stars in months. I would recommend to anyone, newer readers, more experienced readers, those who read these genres, and even those who usually don't read these genres.

Characters: 5🌟
Writing: 5🌟
Plot: 5🌟
Pacing: 5🌟
Unputdownability: 5🌟
Enjoyment: 5🌟
Originality: 5🌟
Overall: 5🌟

The Family Experiment is the latest in the universe of Match DNA. When I tell you I never anticipate the depths humanity’s darkness can go, John Marrs always manages to up the ante.

Each time I enter the world of John Marrs, I expect to be horrified and intrigued, but The Family Experiment took it to another level. The intro made me pause for a moment and think, “Wow, this is dark, even for Marrs.” But don’t let that darkness deter you. His writing is crispy, intense and brilliant. He is a masterful storyteller and has managed to craft a realistic futuristic world.

This book can be read as a standalone, and I think you’d have a blast with it, but I highly recommend the entire universe first. (The One, The Passengers, The Minders, The Marriage Act, then The Family Experiment). I promise, you’ll inhale them and your entire worldview will change, and you’ll start to think everyone you speak to on the internet is AI. No? Just me?

As always, I’ll end my review of a Marrs book and ask:

John Marrs, are you okay?